Traditional Conservation Methods and Food Habits in the Arctic

Stimmelmayr, Raphaela; Sheffield, Gay

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-87853-5_22

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Notably, Stimmelmayr and Sheffield (2022) made very similar observations among Alaskan Iñupiat. Consumption of the brain of some of the nattiit, as mentioned by the LKHs, raises the potential issue of lead poisoning, since most nattiit are shot in the head with lead-based ammunition.…”

Section: Inuit Qaujimajatuqangitsupporting

confidence: 57%

“…Nonetheless, much remains unknown about the wide variety of pathogens in the natural environment. Ongoing studies involving collaboration with LKHs and inclusion of IQ are therefore essential, especially in relation to the emergence or re-emergence of zoonotic pathogens in a rapidly changing environment (Keatts et al, 2021;Stimmelmayr and Sheffield, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Notwithstanding the many benefits of eating country foods, there are also potential negative health effects, such as exposure to zoonotic pathogens (Chan et al, 2006;Lambden et al, 2007;Jenkins et al, 2013;Keatts et al, 2021;Stimmelmayr and Sheffield, 2022). For example, Inuit have a higher seroprevalence of antibodies to the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii than other Indigenous communities, such as the Cree, or among Caucasian people living in the same communities (Messier et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Surveillance for Zoonotic Pathogens and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit of Ringed Seals (nattiit) (Pusa hispida) in Frobisher Bay and Eclipse Sound, Nunavut, Canada

Sudlovenick,

Simonee,

Jones

et al. 2023

ARCTIC

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Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) (nattiq (s.), nattiit (pl.) [Inuktut]) provide an important food staple for Nunavummiut (Indigenous residents of Nunavut). We studied the health of nattiit harvested by hunters from Baffin Island, Nunavut, via Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and veterinary science. We conducted serological surveys and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for select zoonotic pathogens, including Brucella spp., Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Leptospira interrogans, and Toxoplasma gondii, in 55 nattiit from Frobisher Bay (FB) and 58 nattiit from Eclipse Sound (ES). We used a digestion assay to determine the presence of Trichinella spp. larvae in muscle samples from these seals. We conducted interviews with nine Local Knowledge Holders (LKHs) from Iqaluit (FB) and nine from Pond Inlet (ES) to gather their observations about nattiq health. The hunters evaluated nattiq health through a combination of behavior, nutritional condition, and appearance of skin and organs. They rarely observed severely ill nattiit. Hunters from ES but not from FB observed declining nattiit population numbers. In both regions, they observed increased numbers of harp seals (Phoca groenlandica). Frequencies of natural exposure among nattiit from FB and ES, based on seroprevalence, were 20.5% and 37% for Brucella spp., 25% and 11% for E. rhusiopathiae, 93% and 100% for L. interrogans, and 10% and 27% for T. gondii, respectively; PCR was negative for these pathogens in organs and tissues of seropositive animals. We did not detect larvae of Trichinella spp. Knowledge and experience from the LKHs in assessing nattiq health, complemented by negative findings from direct detection methods, provide reassurance about the safety of nattiit as country food, despite their exposure to some zoonotic pathogens in their natural environment.

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Section: Inuit Qaujimajatuqangitsupporting

confidence: 57%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%